2040 INDUCTEES

RDE Steven Nichols
Vegas Black Aces
16 seasons
Vegas (12)
Michigan (1)
Buffalo (3)
2024, 2029, 2039 ALLPRO

He was drafted 3rd overall in the 2024 draft by Vegas out of Pittsburgh. At the time he was drafted, this was the analysis: "This 5'11" 239 lb defensive end out of Pitt is a little undersized to play that position at the next level. He uses speed and quickness to rush off the edge and the hope is he can bulk up without losing too much speed." He would go on to finish 3rd Alltime in sacks (76) and holds the XFL record for QB pressures (324) by a wide margin, 84 more than the next closet player, fellow Hall of Famer RDE Jorge Shimizu from the class of 2032. Concerns over his size were never an issue as Nichols transitioned to DT in 2039 and was selected to the ALLPRO there in his final season becoming the only player to be selected to an ALLPRO at multiple positions. He is the only unanimous selection this year on his 1st ballot and enters the Hall as the 7th defensive lineman, 6th defensive end and 4th right defensive end selected. He becomes the 3rd Vegas player selected, joining fellow HOFers K Gerald Cornett (2030) & TE Pedro Clark (2034).

WR Dion Copeland
Texas Hold'em
11 seasons
Buffalo (1)
Dakota (1)
2039 AXC Conference Champ
2033 XFL Champ
2033 ALLPRO

He was drafted in the 2nd round of the 2029 draft by Texas out of Georgia Tech. Texas had 3 1st round picks that year so Copeland was the 4th player taken, yet he ends up in the Hall of Fame. He was a consistent receiver, posting four 1,000 yard seasons and 10 500 yard seasons where he finished 5th Alltime in Career receiving yards and 4th Alltime in Career TD receptions. In 2033, he had a career year, posting 1,901 receiving yards, 19 TD receptions and leading Texas to the XFL XVI Championship. He made his mark in the postseason where he is 5th in TD receptions. He was elected on his 1st ballot becoming the 9th WR to enter the HOF and 1st for the Texas Hold'em.

C Bobby Munson
Gem City Gangsters
13 seasons
Vancouver (1)
2026 NXC Conference Champ
2027 XFL Champ
2027, 2028, 2030, 2035, 2036, 2037, 2038 ALLPRO

He was drafted with the 31st pick of the 1st round in the 2027 draft by Gem City out of Brigham Young. This was the comment after he was drafted: "The best pure center in the draft falls all the way to 31 and lands on a team that made the title game last season. A complete steal for an already great team." He went on to live up to that statement becoming the best Center in XFL history, making 7 ALLPRO Teams and being named a Team Captain by his peers. In 11 of 13 seasons, he allowed 1 sack or less despite ending 11th Alltime in pass blocks. He was a key component to Gem City's rushing attack and finished 3rd Alltime in run blocks. He was elected to the HOF on his 1st ballot, becoming the 4th Center enshrined and 6th from the Gem City francise.

SLB Joseph Phillips
Daytona Beach Bull Sharks
14 seasons
Michigan (1)
Philadelphia (1)

He was selected with the 17th pick of the 1st round in the 2025 draft by Daytona out of Missouri. At the time, this was the quote: "Daytona will roll the dice on this undersized MLB from Tennessee. He scores at the combine were good across the board for all his tangible attributes and scouts see him as a tweener. He could bulk up some to handle the linebacker positions which may cost him some speed or he could possibly transition to safety and drop some weight which might increase his speed and cover skills. It will be interesting to see what plans they have for this player." Daytona hit the jackpot as Stephens finished 5th Alltime for tackles and his 54 interceptions at LB rank him 7th overall but 1st among LB. He had 12 straight seasons with an interception and was elected to the HOF on his 2nd ballot. He becomes the 1st SLB enshrined in the HOF and the 1st for Daytona.